This archive report was first published on 5 July 2019.
On July 5, 2019, Kenya Police Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai declared a manhunt for 4,293 gun owners who failed to honor a seven-day ultimatum to surrender their firearms.
According to Mutyambai, the gun owners will be treated as armed and dangerous criminals, and their names have been circulated to all Regional Commanders to recover the firearms and make arrests.
However, Mutyambai commended 114 gun holders who honored the seven-day window period given for them to report to the nearest police station.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi had previously stated that 4,407 firearm holders were required to seek certificates, failure to which they would be considered criminals for holding unlicensed guns.
During the vetting exercise, 9,398 firearms were cleared, and 1,493 firearms were withdrawn and licenses cancelled.
The government has introduced tough measures to regulate gun ownership in Kenya, and the police boss cautioned gun owners against reckless display of guns.
Over 13,800 firearm holders were registered in the recently concluded vetting exercise by the Firearms Licensing Board, and only 20 gun dealers have been cleared to operate in the country.
